NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.
Urban Radio 94.5FM Enugu has accused operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of invading its studio during a live broadcast to arrest presenters.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the station said the incident occurred at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, during its ‘Prime Time’ programme.
According to the statement, EFCC operatives “abducted” the presenters and confiscated communication equipment without giving reasons for their actions.
“Armed men identifying as the EFCC had barged into the studio and interrupted the live program ‘Prime-Time’, forcefully abducted our presenters and took away our communication equipment for reasons they vehemently refused to disclose,” the station said, adding that they were following up on the matter and would keep listeners informed.
However, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale refuted these allegations in an interview with TheCable.
He clarified that the EFCC did not invade the station but had gone there to arrest Favour Ekoh, a presenter, over her alleged involvement in a ponzi scheme that defrauded 103 Nigerians.
“It is not true that our people invaded the station,” Oyewale stated. He explained that Ekoh, who was on air at the time, had repeatedly ignored EFCC invitations.
“What motivated the arrest was that Favour is allegedly involved in a ponzi scheme, where 103 Nigerians have been defrauded. She is a suspect, who is wanted over the investigation of the ponzi scheme.
“She has been invited on several occasions but she did not come. That was why she was traced to the radio station.”
Oyewale also denied claims that the operatives seized communication equipment, insisting that only Ekoh was arrested. (AriseNews TV)